Crime Blog

Kemp woman shot to death during struggle with suicidal friend

A woman was fatally shot Monday night in Kemp when she tried to take a gun from a suicidal friend, who then killed himself.

Kaufman County deputies responded to the shooting at about 6:41 p.m. at the home of James Allan Nix in the 18000 block of FM 2613.

Upon arrival, they found Nix and 21-year old Brittany Markham dead, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

A witness at the home says Nix, 41, had made threats to injure himself. When Markham tried to stop him, the gun went off, fatally injuring her. The witness then heard a second shot while running from the home to report the shooting.

Kaufman County authorities are still investigating the shooting, but despite initial reports the case has not been classified as a murder-suicide, a sheriff’s spokeswoman said.